A fresh spell of monsoon rain is expected to affect Gujarat and Maharashtra over the next few days as a low-pressure system from the Bay of Bengal moves west-northwestwards. The system, which formed near the coasts of south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh, is carrying moisture towards central and western India. Gujarat is likely to receive fairly widespread rainfall from September 12 to 15, with isolated very heavy rain on September 13 and 14, particularly in south Gujarat and Saurashtra-Kutch. Maharashtra is also expected to see heavy showers, especially across Konkan and Goa, along with thunderstorms and lightning in some areas. (PC: India Today)

The New Delhi BRICS Declaration has made no specific mention of the Russia-Ukraine war, marking a departure from the group’s earlier joint statements issued in 2024 and 2025. The declaration instead stresses the need for dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes. It refers to several other conflicts, including the situation in Palestine, West Asia, Syria and Sudan. The change comes as BRICS members seek consensus amid growing geopolitical tensions. India’s BRICS Sherpa Sudhakar Dalela said the grouping’s position is centred on international law, the UN Charter and diplomatic solutions, while declining to comment on specific conflicts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched two commemorative postage stamps marking 20 years of BRICS during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The stamps, issued on September 12, carry the inscription “BRICS: Two Decades of Cooperation, 2006–2026” and highlight the grouping’s journey of dialogue and cooperation. The designs also reflect India’s 2026 BRICS chairship theme — “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” One stamp represents BRICS’ spirit of mutual respect, understanding and solidarity, while the second features India’s chairship logo and its “humanity first” and people-centric vision.

Elephant Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi in Kolhapur, has returned to the city after spending more than a year at Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The move followed a September 9 order by the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC), which allowed her return to the Nandani Jain Math under strict conditions. Madhuri must receive round-the-clock care, undergo medical examinations every fortnight and cannot be used in processions or for any other purpose. Vantara said her chronic health conditions still require regular monitoring and confirmed that its veterinarians will visit her in Kolhapur every two weeks and submit reports to authorities. 

China will take over the BRICS chairmanship in 2027 and host the group’s next summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.   Xi made the announcement at the closing session of the 18th BRICS Summit, after India hosted the two-day meeting on September 12 and 13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Xi on China taking over the presidency. The dates and host city for the 2027 summit have not yet been announced. China’s presidency will follow India’s year-long chairmanship, which focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. (PC: X)

Indian-origin woman Shalini Thakur, 38, was shot dead outside her workplace in Sacramento, California, on September 8 after months of alleged stalking by a 22-year-old man identified as Rohit. Investigators said the warning signs included an Apple AirTag found under her car, tampered tyres, being followed to work and an alleged break-in at her home. Thakur had obtained a civil harassment restraining order against Rohit in May. Authorities later said they had probable cause to arrest him after a reported violation in July but could not locate him. Rohit later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit.

Ancient DNA evidence suggests the relationship between the Indus Valley and Mesopotamian civilisations went beyond the exchange of goods and included movement of people. BHU geneticist Professor Gyaneshwer Chaubey said DNA analysis of remains found in present-day Syria identified South Asian mitochondrial lineages linked to populations in India, Pakistan and the Himalayan region. The remains date from around 2650 BCE to 700 CE. Archaeological evidence had already established trade links between the regions, including references to Meluhha in Mesopotamian texts and the discovery of Indus seals and beads. The genetic findings now provide further evidence of ancient human connections along trade routes. (PC: X)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali left New Delhi on Sunday after attending the two-day BRICS Summit hosted by India. The summit brought together leaders of the expanded BRICS grouping, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The meeting concluded with discussions on global growth, technology, climate, trade and cooperation among developing nations. BRICS members also adopted the New Delhi Declaration, which condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and called for dialogue and diplomacy to address conflicts in West Asia. Modi said India’s BRICS presidency focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. (PC: HT)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a gala dinner for BRICS leaders and delegates at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during the opening day of the 2026 BRICS Summit. A 160-member ensemble of Indian and international artistes performed BRICS Symphony – One Rhythm, Many Cultures, showcasing the cultural diversity of BRICS nations. Indian classical dance forms including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi and Kathak were presented alongside traditional music from participating countries. The programme was coordinated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and highlighted cultural exchange, shared heritage and people-to-people connections among BRICS members and partner countries. 

BRICS leaders have strongly condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms. In the New Delhi Declaration 2026, leaders called for a zero-tolerance approach and stressed the importance of international cooperation against terrorism. The declaration also expressed concern over the continuing escalation of tensions in West Asia, urging all sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could worsen the situation. The leaders reiterated their support for resolving international disputes through dialogue, consultation and diplomacy during the BRICS Summit under India’s chairship. (PC: X)